Cluster Luck?

The Department of Housing and Community Development has issued a solicitation for developers to bid on four clusters of land in the Southeast, Northeast, and Northwest quadrants of DC, in the hopes of turning underutilized property into affordable and market rate housing. The Property Acquisition and Disposition Division (PADD) of the DHCD is offering the sites in an effort to dispose of properties in its inventory while maximizing the city's profit from their sales. PADD will base its selection on proposed development plans, pricing proposals, the amount of affordable housing offered and the potential community and local business benefits. Developers must present evidence of complete funding for their proposal; the developers selected will take title to their respective cluster on which all existing non-historic structures will be razed.

The clusters are:

Site Cluster #1 (Anacostia)
1700 W Street, SE
1704 W Street, SE
1708 W Street, SE
1712 W Street, SE
1716 W Street, SE
1720 W Street, SE




Site Cluster #2 (Old City)
4540 Kramer Street, NE
1613 Kramer Street, NE







Site Cluster #3 (Old City 2)

4 Q Street, NW
6 Q Street, NW
8 Q Street, NW
10 Q Street, NW
14 Q Street, NW
14 Florida Avenue, NW
16 Florida Avenue, NW

Site Cluster #4 (Old City)

1621 Kramer Street, NE
1627 Kramer Street, NE
1629 Kramer Street, NE
1631 Kramer Street, NE
1632 Kramer Street, NE
1633 Kramer Street, NE

The solicitation encourages proposals to include a mix of uses including family-style affordable dwelling units with two or more bedrooms so families can "grow in place". As usual, the District wants to see evidence of community outreach, complete financing that requires minimal financing from the City, and proof that the units will remain affordable for 15-24 years.

Proposals should specify the type and number of housing units offered, and the scope of new construction and renovations by providing floor plans, site plans, and amenities. In keeping with the Fenty affordable housing pledge, 30% of all proposed housing must be affordable with preference given to those who exceed the requirement.

The lucky developers selected must "participate in a transparent and collaborative process involving the District, PADD, and community stakeholders", and, as with any good business deal, the winner will offer the greatest economic benefit to the District and require the lowest amount of subsidy.

Submissions are due by September 17th; the District will select a winner on November 3rd.